What is the difference between physical and chemical changes

General
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what is the difference between physical and chemical changes

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What is the difference between physical and chemical changes?

Answer: Physical and chemical changes are two categories used to describe how matter undergoes transformation. Let’s explore each in detail:

Physical Changes:

  1. Definition: A physical change is a change in the form or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition.
  2. Examples: Melting ice, breaking glass, dissolving sugar in water.
  3. Characteristics:
    • Reversible: Most physical changes can be reversed. For example, freezing melted water back into ice.
    • No New Substances: The material retains its original properties; no new substances are formed.
    • Change in State: Often involves changes in physical states (solid, liquid, gas).

Chemical Changes:

  1. Definition: A chemical change occurs when a substance transforms into one or more different substances with different chemical properties.
  2. Examples: Burning wood, rusting iron, baking a cake.
  3. Characteristics:
    • Irreversible: Chemical changes are usually not easily reversible. Once a cake is baked, you can’t unbake it to its original batter form.
    • New Substances: New materials with different properties are formed.
    • Energy Changes: Often involve energy changes, such as the release or absorption of heat.

Summary: Physical changes affect the form but not the chemical identity of a substance, are generally reversible, and don’t create new substances. Chemical changes result in new substances, usually involve energy changes, and are not easily reversible.

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